Signaling device



B. B. WEST.

SIGNvALlNG DEVICE. APPLICATION HLED GCT. 1e. 191e.

Patnted J an. 4,

2 `SHEETS-SHEEI B. yB. WEST.

sIGNALlNG DEV-|05. APPLICATION FILED OCT. I6, l9l6.A

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UNrrEn STATES PATENT*OFFflCEQQ BRENNAN B. WEST, orftexnwoon. omo, ,As'sreNon To mHEoU'rLooirfcoMrANY, oF

CLEVELAND, omo, a coni-DORATION Oromo.v L

sIerNALINGr` DEVICE.. i' f To @ZZ whom z' may concern."

Beit known that I, BRENNAN. B. `/Vn's'r, a citizen of the United States, residing" at Lakewood, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Chio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Signaling Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, Iand exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.'

This invention relates to Signaling devices for vehicles; and it has forV its'bject the production of a comparatively simple signaling device thaty is especiallyadapted for use on automobiles, and that is eX- tremely convenientA of operation and highly effectual as a day and night'signal.

A further object of the invention is the production of a signaling device involving a pair of direction indicators which are adapted to be moved, one at a time, from f normal to respective secondpositions to indicate each a direction opposite tothat indicated by the other, or 'which are adapted to occupy their respective second positions simultaneously thereby to counteract or nullify their independent effects; the device, in its preferred form, further involving an indication which is concealed by the direction indicators when in their normal positions but revealed when both of said indicators are simultaneously in their second p0- sitions. Y

In the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure l is a perspective view of the signaling del vice and the elements through which it is operated; Fig. 2 is a central vertical sec tion through the device; Fig. 3` is a vertical section on the line 3,-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a horizontal section on line 4 4 of Fig. Figs. 5, 6 and are perspective views of parts of the device; and Fig. 8 is a sectional detail through the pedal attachment 'and in; cludes a diagram 0f the electric circuit associated therewith through which the Clevice is operated.

In the present embodiment of my invention, the device comprises a casing 1 which is made up of a circular and a cylindrical wall, the latter being designatedQ and having its free edge turnedoutward to provide a flange 3 against which a similar flange 4 applicati@ filed confierL 1e,` 191e. rk seriai'Ng, 125,543;

specification' of lettersraamt. i'. y Pafentd Jan, 4, 1921, y`

" Qf a @over 5 isaaapted a;y beheid by a chan;

nelmember 6, preferably' formed in halves that are pivotedftogfether as" by a rivet k7,

the'free ends'y ofkfithejhalves" being connected together by'any suitable lineans, therebyto hold the channel member 6 snugly about the casing v'andfretain 7 the parts securely to*y i gather.` A segmental sight' opening 1Q is formed'inthe lowenportionof the cover'5, e and theupper and eentralportions thereof "are ybulg'ed outwardlforfa purpose; which will h'ere,inafter` be Y explained) and at yits cententhecover is yprovided with an openi ing foccupiedgby a :lens 1,1 of somel suitable color adaptingitto'thepurpose lof a tail light,V Theopening '.10 is coveredbyfa i1o n glass, l2; shown as yheld in placefbyclips The] cylindrical wall of the casing has yan vopeningr'lr fOrmed in its lower portion, and

acurvedl'plate 16'of glass or ,other suitable translucent'material is shown as held over the opening by clips 1,7.

f Ar tubular postor arb orQKO is located 'cen-,f1 f

trai of thecasingand its externally threadyed end`2l lhas yappliedto it anut 22,*such end, beyond the nut,` being passed through an aperture in the circularwalloffthe cas-y ing. Q The protruding end of the post` has Eapplied to it; preferably by threading it thereupon, k:a supporting plate 23. yThus it i will be seen that the central portion yof the circular'wall ofthe casing isclamped be- Jtween' ythe plate 23and ythenutQQ;` and'if found necessary, an additional Vnut'Qfl may beappliedto the youter end of the postte f f screwing'or loosening@4` The plate 23 eX'- tendsaupward to within fa short distance of p the topp'A of ytheljc'asing 2;.'and bolts 25 are `more l"positively lock the parts against unp'as'sed through spaced 'aperture 25L of the plate `'and `through f alining "apertures e ink the circular wall of `the casing." On'gthe inside of the casing, one flange of an angle bracketv 26` is appliedto the; boltsand .is sustained thereby in a position to' support, from its y other or, :horizontal flange, pair of :solenoids 27 andv 28, thesolenoids being attached to the" bracket by.'screws"'29., The

lower end of theeuppoaing plate 23 has@ threaded aperture 30 "for`- the reception' of the-threadedshankof afstop' pin 31 which is 4located insidey the casing `and passes through an aperture in its circular wall, the? pin being imma@ she-rt distante baies' andv l in the vertical plane oi" the axis of the post or arborl 20. The supporting plate 23 is provided with a hollow cylindrical boss 32, shown as havinga set screw 33 threaded through one side, for application to a suitable lamp bracket.

In Fig. 6 I have shown in perspective a direction indicator 35 that is preferably stamped from a kthin sheet of light weight metal, the same being designed, when iinished as I will presently explain, to give the appearance of an arrow head from each side oi which extends a segmental wing 37,

the two wings preferably including something more than 90O of a circle. I employ two of these direction indicators in my device and the wings 37 thereoi3 are preferably finished or colored to correspond to the interior of the casing l, while the arrow head portion of each is finished in a distinctive color. For instance, the arrow head of one may be green, while that of the other may be red, and the interior of the casing, with n the` wings of each indicator, may be white.

The stem of each indicator has an aperture 38 which is in axial alinement with the arrow head, 'and it may be explained that the center oii this aperture constitutes that whereon the segment of the wings 37 is laid out. In Fig. 7 I have shown an arm 40, one of such arms being designed for attachment to each of theA direction indicators 35, the arm having a hub portion 41 that is provided with an opening corresponding subf" stantially in size to the aperture 38 of the p selves are reversed with respect to each other. It will be observed that the stem of each indicator is offset laterally and that a notch44 in the side thereof extends slightly beyond the central axis of the arrow so that when the indicators are suspended upon the post 20 they fall to normal position with their notches 44 occupied by the stop pin 31.

The lower ends of links 45 are pivoted to the direction indicators preferably by the same meansthat connect the free ends of the arms 40 to the indicators. The upper end of each link 45 is pivotally connected to the core of Vthe previously mentioned solenoid that is located above it, so that when i the solenoid is energized and its core is such as will swing the indicator through substantially 90.

To the rear of the direction indicators, when they are in normal position, is located, in the zone of theirwings, an indication represented in the drawings by the wordStop, and designated 48, the same being shown as printed upon the circular wall of the casing opposite the sight opening 10, although it will be understood that the same might be immovably supported within the casing in any suitable manner. Then either or both of the indicators are in normal position they conceal the indication 48; but when both simultaneously occupy their second posi tions, the indication is revealed to view through the sight opening 10.

An electric light socket 50 is attached to the inner end of the hollow post or arbor 2O preferably by having a threaded extension 5]. thereof screwed into the internally threaded end of the post or arbor. A suitable conduit 52 leads into the outer end of the post through which wires 53 pass to the socket 50. I have also shown the wires 90 which lead to the solenoids 27 and 28 as conducted through the conduit 52, the wires being turned laterally through openings formed in the post and nut 22, and being retained against displacement by a suitable clip 54, attached to the circular wall of the casing. fin electric lamp 55 is supported by the socket 50 centrally within the casing where it serves to illuminate the lens 10 `and brilliantly light the interior of the casing, the buloed or outwardly curved portion of the casing above the lamp acting as a reiiector to cast the rays back upon the rear wall of the casing and more eiectually illuminate the same, 'and the direction indi- 105 cators 35. While I consider it no part of the invention, I may explain that the automobile number plate may be conveniently supported, by any suitable means, as by a bracket 56 connected to and depending from 110 the casing, so that the light which passes through the opening i5 may illuminate the same. A

As an extremely convenient means of operating the signaling device, I propose to mount upon an operating pedal of the automobile switch mechanism by which the circuits to the solenoids of the device may be opened and closed at the will of the operator.

The switch mechanism I have shown as comprising a plate 60, that may be attached to the brake pedal, for instance, by screws 61, and having apertures in its upper end through which push buttons 62 and 63 extend, the same being spaced a distance apart less than the width of the drivers shoe sole, so that he may depress both of them simultaneously with one foot, or, by shifting his foot in one direction or the other, avoid de pressing one while depressing the other. An

element 65 of insulating material issecured to the underneath side of the upper end of the plate 6() by means of a bolt 66, and a contact spring 67 is clamped between the respective bosses 65a and 60aL of the element and plate. The contact spring (which is shown as laminated) extends out on each side of the bosses beneath the buttons 62 and 63 and are arranged to be forced, when said electrical conductor 73 connects the screw Figs. l, 3 and 4:).

68 with the winding of the solenoid 27,y an'd. a conductor 74 connects the screw 79 with the winding of thev solenoid 28. Consequently, when the button 62 is depressed a circuit is established from one side of the battery through the conductor 72, bolt 66, spring 67, screw 68, conductor 73, the winding of the solenoid 72, and the conductor .71,"

to the opposite side of the battery, thus energizing the solenoid 27 and elevating the right hand direction indicator (as viewed in It is clear that when the button 63 is depressed, a circuit will be established through the winding of the solenoid 28 and the other indicator will be elevated. Also, that when both buttons are depressed at the same time, the direction indicators will be elevated simultaneously.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A signaling device comprising an indication, a pair of indicators normally reposing in a position to conceal said indication and movable each independently of the other to a second position to indicate a direction, said indicators, when simultaneously occupying their respective second positions, allowing the display of the aforesaid indication.

2. A signaling device comprising a casing having a sight opening, an indication supported within the casing in a position to be observed through said opening, a pair of indicators, supported within said casing in a position to normally conceal the aforesaid indication, means for moving each indicator independently of the other to a second position to indicate a direction, said indicators, when occupying their respective second positions, allowing the display of the aforesaid indication.

3. A signaling device comprising a casing having a sight opening, means illuminating theinterior "of the casing, anfindicationsupported kwithin the ycasing ina position to be observed throughthe sight opening, a pair of indicators supported within the casing yin a position to normally conceal said indication, means for moving eachindicator inde- .pendently of the other to a second position" y r toindicate a direction, said indicators, when occupying their respective second positions,

at the same time, allowingthe display ofthe aforesaid indication.

4. A signaling device comprising a `cas-r ing having a sight opening, means illuminating the interior of the casing, an indicationsupportedwithin the casing in a positiony to be observed throughthe sight opening, a pair of indicators pivotallysupported n upon substantially the same axis within the 'casing and normally reposing in a position to conceal the vaforesaid indication, and means for swinging each indicatory from normal to a second position to indicate a direction,y said indicators, when occupying their respective second positions at the same time, allowingthe display ofthe said indi` cation', and the sight opening of the casing being ofsuflicient extent to yreveal the kindicators at all times.r 1

` -5.A signaling device comprisingk a ,cirf cular casing, a pair of indicators pivotally e supported upon an axis substantially central of the casing and normally suspended one over and practically concealing the other, and means for swinging each indicator independently of the other to a second position to indicate a direction `opposite to that indicated the other, the casinghaving a segmental sight opening substantially concentric to the ypivotal axis `of the indicators an coeXt'ensive with their movements. v f

6. A signaling device comprising .ay circular casing, a pair offindicators pivotally supported upon an axis substantially central of the casing and normally suspended one overk 'and practicallyvconcealing the other, means for swinging each indicator inde pendently of the other toa second position to indicate a direction opposite to that indicated by the other, and an indication within the casing located in a position to be con cealed by the-indicators when they are in normal position and revealed when .both are simultaneously in their yrespective second positions, the casing having a segmental sight opening substantially concentric to the pivotal axis of the indicators andcoextensive with their movements.

7. A signaling device comprising a casing,

an arbor supportedy within said casing, ay pair of indicators pivoted upon said arbory and normally depending side by side there-v from, a stop normally engaged on opposite sides by said indicators, and a pair of electromagnetic devices located within the casyico iic

isoy

ing and having connection one with each of said indicators whereby it may be moved from normal to a second position, said casing having an opening through which the movements of the indicators are revealed.

8. A signaling device comprising a casing, an arbor supported within said casing, a pair of indicators pivoted upon said arbor and normally depending therefrom with one of the indicators over and practically concealing the other, a pair of electromagnetic devices locatedwithin the casing and having connection one with each of said indicators whereby it may be moved from normal to a second position, and an indication located within the casing in a position to be concealed by the indicators when in normal position but revealed when both simultaneously occupy their second positions, said casing having an opening through which the movements or" the indicators may be observed.

9. A signaling device comprising a casing, a tubular post within said casing, the casing having an aperture in one of its walls through which the post extends, the post having an abutment bearing against the inner side of the casing wall, a supporting element applied to the protruding end of the post and between which and the aforesaid abutment the adjacent portion of the casing wall is clamped, means remote from the post and extending through the supporting element and the casing wall, a member supported by said means within the casing, a pair of electromagnetic devices supported by said member, a pair of indicators journaled upon the post and normally depending side by side therefrom, connections between each of said indicators and one of the electromagnetic devices whereby said indicator may be swung from normal to a second position when the respective electromagnetic device is energized, and a lamp socket carried by the inner end of the post, said socket being adapted to support a lamp for illuminating the interior of the casing, the electric conductors for the lamp and the electromagnetic devices being adapted to enter the casing through said post.

l0. A signaling device comprising a casing, a post within said casing, the casing having an aperture in one of its walls through which the post extends, the post having an abutment bearing against the inner side of the casing wall, a supporting element applied to the protruding end of the post and between which and the aforesaid abutment the adjacent portion of the casing wall is clamped, means remote from the post and extending through the sup- -porting element and the casing wall, a member supported by said means within the casing, a pair of electromagnetic devices supported by said member, a pair of indicators journaled upon the post and normally depending side by side therefrom, and connections between each of said indicators and one of the aforesaid electromagnetic devices whereby said indicator may be swung from normal to a second position when the respective electromagnetic device is energized.

1l. A. signal device comprising a casing, an arbor supported within said casing, a pair of indicators pivoted upon said arbor, a stop located below the arbor against the opposite sides of which the indicators are arranged to engage, and an electromagnetic means operatively connected to each indicator and acting, when energized, to move the same away from the stop, while assisting, when denergized, in holding the indicator against the stOp.

l2. In a signaling device, the combination of a pivotally supported indicator, a stop for limiting the movement of the indicator in one direction, and an electromagnetic means operatively connected to the indicator and acting, when energized, to move the same away from the stop, while assisting through its gravity, when denergized, in holding the indicator against the stop.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

BRENNAN B. WEST. 

